Many years ago I graduated with a B.A. in journalism, magna cum laude, and
what am I doing now? My mom wanted me to be a news anchor (haha) but I'm
working part time as a book vendor because my kids have some needs that
require more time from me.  I figure I'm using my brain training to help
read up on how to help my kids; and my self-worth seems to be tied up with
catering to kitties!  My mom just doesn't get it.

;o)
Christine

Sherry, I know exactly what you mean.  A long time ago my husband came
to me and said,"look, having two of us working is just not working for
our personal life.  I can make far more money than you can (computers
vs.nursing) and you describe yourself as not being "career oriented"
Why don't you not work for pay and stay home and manage our life and
I'll bring in the money.  If you want to work, I am supportive but if
you want to stay home, I'd like that."  So I stayed home except for a
few years in there where I had my own business doing dog training and
even that was part time.  I never realized that the hard part of all
this was going to be what other people said and thought of me (we have
no human kids so I never had a "reason" to stay home) and how
embarrassed I'd feel about "leeching off my husband" as someone so
kindly put it.  But after a couple of years of this I realized that
mostly people who said negative things were jealous and said stuff like
that to make themselves feel better.  I also needed to adjust my
attitude and realize that what I did for us was very important and our
level of happiness was far greater than many of our friends and a lot of
that was because I didn't work but stayed home and made a life for us.
We are very happy with our situation.  I love not working.  Other people
like working and that is good for them but it isn't for me.  When
someone asks me what I do all day I just smile brightly and say
"whatever I feel like and it is wonderful!"

Please don't feel like a loser, Sherry! You take great care of your kitties
and they love you. I'm sure they prefer you being home more than before.
Hugs and purrs,

<snip>

Really?  Don't feel that way.
People are constantly asking me what I do all day.  I tell them that I spend
a few hours on the computer reading NG's in the morning, then I work out for
a couple of hours and go to the market to buy my food fresh.  I cook all my
meals from scratch, read books, play with Vino and watch my favourite shows
on TV.  In the evenings I go out for dinner with friends a few times a week.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with that and refuse to apologize for not
doing more with my life.  I like it, Dennis likes it, and that's all that
matters.
--
Britta
Sandpaper kisses, a cuddle and a purr. I have an alarm clock that's covered
in fur!
Check out pictures of Vino at:
http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album